WIMBORNE Town boss Steve Cuss believes Elliot Ward will gain a valuable insight into senior football during his stint at Cuthbury.

Cuss has completed a deal to sign the young midfielder on a work experience basis and he was last night poised to make his Magpies debut in the Southern League Division One South & West clash at Didcot, subject to the paperwork being finalised.

Ward, 18, is a product of the Cherries youth ranks and made his first-team debut earlier this season as a late substitute in the 5-0 League Cup victory over Dagenham & Redbridge.

But with a number of professionals ahead of him in the pecking order at Seward Stadium, Ward has moved to Wimborne temporarily to further his footballing education.

Cuss, whose day job is as head of AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust, told the Daily Echo: “The deal is open-ended.

“I have arranged with Paul Groves (Cherries under-18s manager) that we look at it on a weekly basis and, if it suits him, Elliot will stay with us.

“He is highly thought of at AFC Bournemouth. He has made a first-team appearance and is a regular in the youth team and plays for the reserves.

“The step for him is to try to get senior football and it is an ideal opportunity for him to play for us, and it is a good signing for us.”

Ward follows in the footsteps of Cherries club-mates Dan Strugnell, Alex Parsons, Josh Wakefield and Billy Maybury in featuring for the Magpies this term.